Full name(s) and surname:
Rj Coetzee

Position:
Business Analyst

What contribution do you see yourself making to the Young Professionals Council and the SAIMM?
Be an active participant in the network for young engineers. Knowledge transfer, a sense of belonging and community is required in the mining profession with industry participants often working in remote sites.

Interactions/activities that you currently participate in within the SAIMM (if applicable):
I attend talks. I read the journal and use Onemine repositories. Presented and attended conferences. Did not participate as much as I would’ve liked with the mentorship program.

Qualifications:

• B.Eng Chemical Engineering (NWU-Potchefstroom)
• M.Eng Extractive Metallurgy (UStell)
• M.Man Finance and Investment (WBS – ongoing)
  

Brief career history:

• Business Analyst – Fraser McGill (Pty) Ltd – Jan 2020 – present
• Metallurgy Superintendent – Sibanye-Stillwater – Jun 2019 – Dec 2019
• Metallurgy Specialist – Lonmin Plc – Sep 2018 – May 2019
• Metallurgist – Lonmin Plc – Sep 2016 – Aug 2018
• Bursar Student – Lonmin Plc – Jan 2010 – Dec 2013
  

Date and place of birth:
1991-10-02, Rustenburg, North West, South Africa

Other industry body affiliations?
ECSA Candidate Engineer
JHB First Thursday Club

What are your views on the 4th industrial revolution?
There is significant upside potential to improve the techniques we use to analyse data and to extract value. Automation is the focus of 4IR and the state of the art can improved rapidly. However, when abnormal conditions, for instance on a plant occur, the operator needs to be the expert. If he does not operate because external automation is applied, he will be unable to save the day. Instead of focussing on increased automation, the aim should be to transparently communicate information with the use of 4IR and allow everybody to proactively manage current situations and to learn from data.

If you were a precious metal what would you be and why?
Iridium – undervalued with significant potential applications in future technology.

How do you think industry bodies such as the SAIMM can better equip young professionals such as yourself?
Encourage involvement of young professionals, have a presence on campuses and invite people to join. Many of my peers are not members of SAIMM, which is unfortunate.

How do you see young professionals making a significant change in the industry?
Move away from Excel only data analytics and be bold to drive future change required to remain competitive in Southern Africa.

What gets you up in the morning?
The prospect that it is a new day with new possibilities, effort accumulates into better skill and knowledge, irrespective of the challenge.

Social media links or information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rj-coetzee/